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TSA, union reach deal on historic, first contract

By
Jolie Lee

This story was updated at 1:25 p.m. Aug. 2 to include comments from AFGE and
TSA.

The Transportation Security Administration and the union representing the nation's
45,000 transportation security officers reached a deal early Thursday for the
employees' first-ever labor contract.

The agreement will be submitted to the officers for ratification in the coming
weeks, according to a statement from the American Federation of
Government Employees, which represents the security officers.

"If ratified, the agreement will represent the culmination of a 10-year effort by
AFGE, first to assist the employees in gaining the right to join a union and then
to win a contract," the AFGE said.

No details of the agreement were immediately available, according to the
statement.

But AFGE President John Gage said the contract will provide for "increased
uniformity on fair treatment," flexibility in scheduling and a new dispute
resolution process.

"This new procedure will enhance fairness and due process for TSOs," Gage said.
"Independent, third-party review is a right that ensures transparency and will
improve the working lives of our officers."